Edward Orton. — White. 203 
says, alluding to his election to the presidency of the American 
Association for the Advancement of Science: 
"It was a fitting and a beautiful thing that he should be 
crowned at the end of his days, and in the presence of those 
he loved, with this high distinction. I know also that he 
knew how to make scientific subjects profoundly interesting; 
the lucidity of his exposition clothed all these themes with 
light. 
Of his work as a teacher we may speak with no reserve. 
Unquestionably he was a great teacher, full of his subject, full 
of the passion for truth, full of the intellectual sympathy which 
enabled him to put himself en rapport with his pupils * * * 
I have alluded to his admirable English style. There is never 
any straining after effect; he is no mere phrase maker. His 
learning is not obtruded, but it often illuminates his sentences, 
and a subtle and benignant humor plays like a lambent light 
over his dignified pages. His speaking, too, was excellent. 
He did not like to speak without notes; he was freest and 
most effective with his address before him, but he gave it with 
naturalness and ease, with perfect articulation, with finely mod- 
ulated and persuasive tones * * * As a friend he was 
very considerate and self sacrificing. His inimitable courtesy 
and sweetness of voice opened a path before him like sunshine. 
This perfect courtesy was something more than manners; 
it was character. It was never effusive; it was dignified, a 
little stately, but the stateliness was not to display itself; it 
was to honor you. His life was full of considerate and help- 
ful kindness; all good philanthropists found in him a friend." 
Like most really great men he was modest and his own 
rating of himself was usually much below that of his co-work- 
ers. Dr. Thomas S. Hastings, of New York, for many years 
president of the Union Theological Seminary, and who was his 
class-mate at Hamilton college, says of him: "He entered the 
class of 1848 at the beginning of our sophomore year. He 
was singularly modest, retiring, and reserved, but we soon dis- 
covered his marked ability. As a scholar he was at once to 
the front and maintained his position to the end of the course 
as the finest scholar in the class." 
He always appreciated the slightest favor, and never 
neglected to acknowledge the same. Through some friends, 
